What power had Nita already met twice before, and feared? Why is she so worried about Dairine and the possibility that she would also come across this power?

At what ages were Kit and Nita offered their wizardry? What age is Dairine when she acquires hers? What is the usual procedure according to the manual where Powers are concerned? What exception seems to apply to Dairine and why might that be the case?

Why does Dairine seem to have an educational advantage? What event in her life brought that circumstance to bear? How did this event motivate her and why? How did this change her relationship with her sister?

Which places does Dairine visit when she leaves the Planetarium? How does she buy enough time to explore without causing a panic at home? How is her solution discovered and by whom?